Wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a set of rails that form a track; 
 a shuttle configured to transport individual items from a pickup location to a delivery location using the set of rails, the shuttle comprising:
 a bidirectional conveyor; 
 a first induction coil; and 
 a data receiver module configured to receive command data indicative of a direction to actuate the conveyor; 
 
 a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, wherein the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor and the data receiver module; 
 a first data transmitter module disposed along the track adjacent to the second induction coil, the first data transmitter module configured to transmit the command data; 
 a third induction coil disposed at a second location along the track, wherein the third induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor and the data receiver module; and 
 a second data transmitter module disposed along the track adjacent to the third induction coil, the second data transmitter module configured to transmit the command data; 
 wherein the shuttle does not comprise an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor is inoperable along the track between the first location and the second location due to a lack of power. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the command data is transmitted via the second induction coil or the third induction coil. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second induction coil interacts with the first induction coil by imparting an electric current to the first induction coil when the first induction coil is within a distance of the second induction coil. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the shuttle further comprises a permanent magnet coupled to a lower surface of the shuttle, and wherein the system further comprises:
 a set of electromagnets disposed along the set of rails; 
 wherein the permanent magnet is configured to engage with the set of electromagnets to propel the shuttle. 
 
     
     
       5. A system configured to transport items, the system comprising:
 a track; 
 a first data transmitter module disposed along the track, the first data transmitter module configured to transmit command data; 
 a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle comprising:
 a conveyor; 
 a data receiver module to receive the command data; and 
 a first induction coil; and 
 
 a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, wherein the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor; 
 wherein the shuttle does not comprise an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor, and wherein the conveyor is inoperable along the track between the first location and a second location due to a lack of power. 
 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the shuttle is configured to receive command data representing one or more of: a direction the conveyor is to be actuated, a length of time the conveyor is to be actuated, or a stop position for the shuttle relative to the track. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the conveyor is configured to move bidirectionally. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the command data is transmitted via the second induction coil. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a third induction coil disposed at the second location along the track, wherein the third induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor and the data receiver module; and 
 a second data transmitter module disposed along the track, the second data transmitter module configured to transmit the command data. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the data receiver module is inoperable along the track between the first location and the second location due to a lack of power. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the shuttle is configured to transport items from a pickup location to a delivery location using the track, the system further comprising:
 a remote computer system configured to direct the shuttle from the pickup location to the delivery location, wherein the delivery location is aligned with the second induction coil. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the data receiver module and the first data transmitter module are transceivers; and
 wherein the data receiver module or the first data transmitter module are further configured to transmit a shuttle status indicator to the remote computer system. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the shuttle further comprises a permanent magnet coupled to a lower surface of the shuttle, and wherein the system further comprises:
 a set of electromagnets disposed along the track; 
 wherein the permanent magnet is configured to engage with the set of electromagnets to propel the shuttle. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second induction coil interacts with the first induction coil by imparting an electric current to the first induction coil when the first induction coil is within a distance of the second induction coil. 
     
     
       15. An item delivery system comprising:
 a track; 
 a first data transmitter module disposed along the track, the first data transmitter module configured to transmit command data; 
 a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle comprising:
 a conveyor; 
 a data receiver module to receive the command data; and 
 a first induction coil; 
 
 a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, wherein the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor; and 
 a third induction coil disposed at a second location along the track, wherein the third induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor; 
 wherein the conveyor is inoperable along the track between the first location and the second location due to a lack of power. 
 
     
     
       16. The item delivery system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a second data transmitter module disposed along the track, the second data transmitter module configured to transmit the command data. 
 
     
     
       17. The item delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the command data is transmitted via the second induction coil. 
     
     
       18. The item delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the shuttle is configured to transport items from a pickup location to a delivery location using the track, the item delivery system further comprising:
 a remote computer system configured to direct the shuttle from the pickup location to the delivery location, wherein the delivery location is aligned with the second induction coil. 
 
     
     
       19. The item delivery system of  claim 15 , wherein the shuttle further comprises a permanent magnet coupled to a lower surface of the shuttle, and wherein the system further comprises:
 a set of electromagnets disposed along the track; 
 wherein the permanent magnet is configured to engage with the set of electromagnets to propel the shuttle.